DIY Lawn Care: Pros and Cons for New Homeowners

Time spent on lawn maintenance can be difficult, especially for new homeowners. Some people want to do all of their lawn care by themselves, while others know that they won't have time to keep up with a larger yard. Here are the pros and cons of homeowners doing their own lawn care:

Pros

Spend Time Outdoors
For homeowners who love spending time outdoors, doing your own lawn care can be a great way to get some Vitamin D, as well as maintain your property. These are the folks that'll be asked a lot of questions about outdoor activities in the area and any nearby parks or walking trails. Spending time outdoors in a garden is a great way for those who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty to care for their home.

Great Workout
If you enjoy working up a sweat, doing your own lawn care is a great option in that it provides an extra dose of exercise. Weekly or biweekly mowing burns some calories, and will bring you some pride in owning a home with a well-manicured lawn. If you have kids who can help lift bags of clippings or leaves, lawn care can be a workout for the entire family.

Creative Freedom
New homeowners who want to do their own lawn care have the ultimate say in every decision that is made when it comes to their outdoor space. You can pick up a plant that you like and add it to your garden without having to consult anyone else. This freedom is great for anyone who may have trouble communicating ideas with a lawn service or for those who take pride in being able to do it themselves.

Cons

Equipment Upkeep
It can take a lot of tools and machinery to keep a lawn in tip-top condition. Folks who may have just moved into a new home may have trouble purchasing the needed tools on top of the usual costs of moving. Allowing a lawn service to do the work keeps homeowners from having to purchase lawn mowers, trimmers and leaf blowers. These items can be tricky to maintain, which saves the homeowner from purchasing gas, oil or replacement trimming line.

Convenience
You might think paying for a lawn service can be quite expensive, but it's a catch 22 of time and money. The average price per mowing in St. Louis, Mo., for example, is $39.12—not bad for the sake of convenience. Homeowners doing their own lawn care can take up weekend time when it could be spent relaxing in the summer weather. Choosing a lawn service is the ultimate way to save time and it adds convenience to a busy lifestyle by not having to worry about getting the lawn care done on a weekly basis.

Regulation Compliance
In an area with a homeowners association, there are certain rules about lawn upkeep; this is another case where doing it yourself can be a little bit more stressful. Allowing a week to go by without tending to your lawn can cause you to be out of compliance with the neighborhood rules and regulations. Hiring a lawn service to mow, feed and maintain your lawn will save you precious time and energy.

Knowing the pros and cons of DIY lawn care is important for new homeowners who are trying to balance moving into a new home and neighborhood. Being aware of what you can handle in terms of lawn size and maintenance is a good thing to remember when budgeting the costs of owning a home.

Katie Kuchta is a gardening and outdoor living guru, and self-proclaimed foodie. She currently covers the lawn care industry for LawnStarter. Kuchta can often be found cooking in the kitchen or on the hunt for the best tacos. Follow her on Instagram.

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